Public Perception Impact
47%
Viewed Harris as Trustworthy
43%
Concerned About "Extreme Views"
57%
Believed in Mental Capability
70%
Felt Country Wrong Direction
Fact-Checking Effectiveness
"Fact-checking improves factual accuracy but often struggles to change attitudes toward political candidates." - Nyhan et al., 2017
Initial False Claims
Average reach: 1.2M viewers
Platform spread: 4.5 days
Fact-Check Response
Average reach: 280K viewers
Response time: 2.3 days
Attitude Change
Impact rate: 15%
Persistence: 8 days
Coverage Pattern Analysis
| Topic | Harris Coverage | Trump Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Discussion | 32% of coverage | 48% of coverage |
| Personal Attributes | 45% of coverage | 28% of coverage |
| Campaign Events | 23% of coverage | 24% of coverage |
Both-Sides-ism Impact
Example Pattern
Media outlets often presented unfounded claims alongside verified facts in an attempt to maintain "balance," undermining fact-based reporting.
Solutions for Reform
Journalistic Training
Enhanced focus on recognizing and counteracting implicit bias in reporting.
Editorial Standards
Development of clear guidelines for covering misinformation and false equivalencies.
Public Education
Improved media literacy programs and fact-checking awareness initiatives.